These past months I have had the tearful privilege in reconnecting with two of my mentees I spent nearly 3 years with. These young men are good. To protect their identity, I've blocked their names. To honor their stories, these young men have overcome and living in the aftermath of incredibly difficult histories. They are on a straighter path... maybe they will share their stories here someday. I'll link back if so. And now as fathers, one of a boy and another of a girl, they are imparting the goodness they have to offer into the next generation. These sweet babies are standing On The Shoulders of these young fathers.
Hear Me. Believe It. You Can Mentor. Today, only 1% of US adults intentionally mentor a child. You Can Mentor is a national organization with a goal of moving the needle to 10% of US adults becoming mentors. And today, there are over 20 million fatherless/motherless youth who are grasping for sustained attention and unconditional acceptance from an adult. There are many in your county. Email me if you'd like guidance and direction in mentoring a youth.
Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult
- Harvard Center of the Developing Child
I hope you watched the video above and let it transform your heart. Mentors Win by Showing Up.
For my birthday in 2014, Kendra took me on a road-trip to Oklahoma City where I saw Josh speak at a Mentoring Conference through an organization that has since closed. But to this day, my key-chain lanyard sports their brand. Getting to know and being present with these 2 boys was a foundational step in identifying as a wounded-healer. In my best efforts to be a healing presence I had to parallely be present to my collected wounds and maladaptive/embodied lies. I searched for a like-hearted and structured organization that is growing a movement/network to recruit and equip this generation into whole-hearted mentoring. Through some miraculous connections I found You Can Mentor. There whole premise, "RELATIONSHIPS CHANGE LIVES"; it's true. And it's the best if we learn how to do it well with in community with other mentors who all commit to bringing light into the dark corners of our communities for kids from hard places.
God-Sighting: when I found this organization I immediately bought Zach's book. It arrived on Thursday. On Sunday, a random speaker from Dallas, Texas spoke at our church. On that day, Kendra and I each had a radical experiential encounter with God. Two days later, I turn over the book and I see the name of the speaker, Peter Louis. He is the main quote on the book and after connecting with the founder/author, Zach, do I learn that Peter is one of his best friends...that Peter's dad was one of Zach's greatest mentors... excuse me? Coincidence?... naw...
And! the day I finish the book is the day I reach out to my mentee. The one quoted above saying "Omg do you know..." When we reconnected on the phone he didn't skip a beat, "do you know how to write a resume?" THIS MORNING he had an interview with one of my friend's and supporter's Tom, who runs Franklinton Rising, a mentoring/skill-trade organization that restores souls through restoring homes.
The next day, Shane Carter, the Executive Director of the Lincoln Community Center (LCC), rolls up behind me to get gas. LCC is the safe place for many kids in our town to find empowerment, success and loving adults. Shane and I quickly chat about God-Sightings and mentorship. He tells me he's been looking for men and tools to begin a mentoring program through LCC. Next week we will discuss how we get more loving, committed, and teachable men in the lives of these young ones to rewrite the fatherless story. You Can Mentor.
What do you do with this? Lean in. Step-by-step. Left Foot-Right Foot. A thousand tiny steps forward can bring you hopefully into a life-time relationship with a kiddo who needs you to be the hands and feet. I believe in you. You can do it. You Can Mentor.
Zach was a kid from a hard place. Zach's mentors leaned in and showed up over his life-time. Now Zach and his team are empowering all of us to believe in the Power of our Presence to mutually transform life to LIFE. Zach's stories of transformation as a mentee, as well as failures and successes as a mentor, will guide you deeper into confidence. You Can Mentor's resources and network will help you find like-hearted boots-on-the-ground in your community. If we Believe and Act Together, all of us will change our own lives for the better, the life of our mentee AND the relational and spiritual landscape of our community, state, country, and world.... for generations.
Do it. You Can Mentor.
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